Keith Poole news, rumors and stats

Keith Poole

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As expected, Buccaneers.com reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have announced they have released WR Keith Poole. A glut of WRs and Poole's repeated struggles with a hamstring pull more than likely led to his release.

The Tampa Tribune reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Keith Poole (hamstring) did not practice again Saturday. He stayed in his hotel room pondering his NFL future. He has been plagued by hamstring problems since last season. "He's got some issues," Coach Jon Gruden acknowledged. "Keith Poole is contemplating whether he wants to play football anymore."

DenverBroncos.com reports Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan said CB Denard Walker (knee) suffered a first-degree tear to his left medial collateral ligament. He'll need about a week to heal and should be ready when the team returns from their BYE this week. FB Detron Smith (knee) had some knee inflammation but should be fine. WR Keith Poole (ribs) and TE Desmond Clark (groin) are receiving treatment and should be ready for week sixteen as well.

Kamon Simpson reports for the Gazette that Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (ankles) showed improvement during Friday's practice. Head coach Mike Shanahan said that Smith only looked like he had one flat tire during Friday's workouts. By the way, WR Keith Poole (ribs) won't play again this weekend.

The Associated Press reports Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (ankle) did not practice today. He is still nursing two sore ankles and is questionable for the game Sunday. "Rod is probably no different than he was a week ago," Coach Mike Shanahan said Wednesday. "There's still a big question mark." WR Keith Poole (ribs) practiced Wednesday. Shanahan said Poole was doing better and was listed as probable this week.

Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan said OL Matt Lepsis (sprained ankle) was sore but showing improvement on Monday. DL Reggie Hayward (bruised calf) was also banged up on Sunday. WR Keith Poole (ribs) and LB Lee Woodall (bruised calf) are both making improvement. Woodall could return to practice on Wednesday while Poole continues to be evaluated.

The Rocky Mountain News reports veteran WR Keith Poole got the starting nod opposite of Rod Smith during Sunday's game against Washington. After Smith went down with more ankle problems, WR Chris Cole entered the starting lineup. Cole entered the game with zero catches on the year and finished the game with two receptions. QB Brian Griese said without Smith in the lineup the team isn't able to make a play.

Associated Press reports Denver Broncos WR Keith Poole is expected to make his debut with the team this weekend. Poole has been inactive in the previous games but is expected to be the latest player vying to replace Ed McCaffrey. He said one of the hardest things to keep up with is the Broncos' constantly changing offense, which Poole said "is a whole different offense" from week to week.

The AP reports the Denver Broncos may activate WR Keith Poole for the first time this season on Sunday. He has been recovering from a strained hamstring. "He's getting back in football shape, and he's close to playing a game right now," coach Mike Shanahan said. The coach said he will decide Poole's final status on game day.

The Denver Post reports Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan states, while Keith Poole's (hamstring) injury has healed, he's still not in football shape and needs to improve his grasp of the offense before being activated. That should come in the near future.

The Rocky Mountain News reports WR Kevin Kasper will be the No. 3 receiver as he's earned the position. Head coach Mike Shanahan stated recently re-signed WR Keith Poole (hamstring) is still learning the system and getting back into football shape.

The Kansas City Star reports Kansas City Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil knows he needs to add help at WR for QB Trent Green. The Chiefs reportedly have talked with Cleveland about trading for WR Kevin Johnson, but discussions stalled when the Browns asked for a third-round pick and the Chiefs countered by offering a fifth. Of course, the team also tried to sign free agent WR Keith Poole. The team feels Johnson has not played up to the level of a third round pick. The need for a WR becomes more critical if Derrick Alexander doesn't play Sunday. Alexander has been in and out of practice because of a sore Achilles' tendon.

The Kansas City Star reports WR Keith Poole rebuffed the Kansas City Chiefs for a second time on Tuesday. He was in Kansas City for a workout with the Chiefs. Just before the workout, Poole received a call from his agent telling him the Denver Broncos were interested in re-signing him. He told his agent, Jack Mills, to accept the Broncos offer.

The Kansas City Star reports free agent WR Keith Poole was to be at Arrowhead Stadium today for a workout in front of Kansas City Chiefs officials. He could sign a contract later in the day. Poole's health may be the only hold-up on a contract. Poole took a physical for the Chiefs last week, and results then showed that his sore hamstring would prohibit him from playing for at least another week or two.

The Kansas City Star reports the Kansas City Chiefs are trying to arrange a visit for free agent WR Keith Poole, just released by Denver. The Chiefs tried to sign Poole during the off-season but he went to Denver instead. The team currently has only five WRs on the roster with Derrick Alexander and rookie Marvin Minnis as the starters.

The Associated Press reports Denver Broncos WR Keith Poole faces the possibility of being cut from the team. Poole strained a hamstring during a June mini-camp and then aggravated the injury in the first few days of training camp. He has missed all three pre-season games and will be used only in an emergency situation Friday. Coach Mike Shanahan has been impressed with Poole when he's healthy, which has not been very often.

Updating an earlier story, the Boulder News reports Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said rookie CB Willie Middlebrooks looks much improved from the knee injury that hampered him throughout training camp. He is expected to see time Saturday against the Saints. Shanahan did not rule out the possibility of Middlebrooks being placed on injured reserve. WR Keith Poole, still bothered by a sore hamstring, will not play against the Saints. QB Gus Frerotte did not practice again on Thursday as he is still with his father, who underwent open-heart surgery on Wednesday.

The Rocky Mountain News reports Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith returned to practice on Tuesday after attending to a family emergency during the weekend. Smith was happy with the support he received from his teammates. CB Eric Davis moved another step closer to returning from a groin injury suffered last week. He reports he is getting better every day. WR Keith Poole saw his most extensive action to date at practice. Coach Mike Shanahan remained hopeful he could play against the Packers.

The Associated Press reports Denver Broncos backup RB Basil Mitchell was limited in practice on Monday because of a bruised thigh and LB Lemar Marshall did not practice because of a sprained right ankle. WR Keith Poole (strained hamstring) was at practice and he had a good day. WR Rod Smith is now expected back at practice tomorrow as he was still away attending to a family matter in Florida.

The Denver Post reports Denver Broncos WR Keith Poole (hamstring) won't play this weekend during the team's exhibition game and he hasn't been able to do anything during training camp other than stretch. Poole tore his hamstring during a summer mini-camp and hasn't recovered yet. He's not sure when he'll be able to return to full-speed, either.

As an update to a previous story, the AP reports Denver Broncos rookie DE Paul Toviessi is now expected to miss 2-3 weeks after he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday. DT Maa Tanuvasa sprained his ankle in practice on Tuesday, but the extent of the injury is not known. WR Scottie Montgomery (flu) missed both practice sessions on Tuesday. Backup FB Detron Smith (ankle) was back at practice for the first time in 10 days. WR Keith Poole went through warmup drills on Tuesday but remains limited by a strained right hamstring.

The Rocky Mountain News reports several Denver Broncos players have injury issues as training camp gets started. FB Detron Smith had a walking cast removed from his surgically repaired right ankle, but he isn't ready to resume full-team workouts. C K.C. Jones will initially sit out two-a-days with knee, back and head ailments. WR Keith Poole (hamstring) is awating word from the medical staff if he can practice. As previously reported, starting C Tom Nalen (abdominal surgery) will take part in only one practice a day for now.

The Daily Camera reports after the latest mini-camp, WR Eddie Kennison is still the favorite to take over as the No. 3 receiver for the Denver Broncos. However, Kennison knows he has to stay sharp because competition in training camp will be fierce. Among those who are expected to give Kennison a run for his money are rookie Muneer Moore, Chris Cole and recently signed Keith Poole.

According to the Associated Press, Denver Broncos WR Keith Poole suffered a pulled hamstring during today's workouts. He's expected to be ready to return to action when training camp begins for the Broncos on July 26.

ESPN's John Clayton reports the New Orleans Saints have informed WR Keith Poole that he'll be released on Monday. The team will save $850,000 against the salary cap this year by releasing him but he'll count $800,000 against next year's cap.